Kedah class NGPV (photo : Militaryphotos)The question can best be understood by looking at Malaysia. To meet its New Generation Patrol vessel (NGPV) requirement the Royal Malaysian Navy selected the Blohm & Voss MEKO 100 design as the ‘Kedah’ class. They seem to be OPVs at first sight for their armament consists of a 76mm (three-inch) gun and a 30mm (one inch) gun but they feature a sophisticated combat management system, an electro-optical director, a chaff launcher and are equipped to operate surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles and an electronic warfare suite. These are not installed but it was recently revealed that Kuala Lumpur now intends adding anti-ship missile systems to them. They are rated in the naval bible, Jane’s Fighting Ships as corvettes and will be joined by DCNS ‘Gowind’ class ships ordered last year from France’s DCNS with the first example to be delivered in 2017. The French Navy operates one as an OPV but the design can be used as a corvette and Malaysia intends operating them in this role.OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELOPV-type platforms can be used as corvettes for both are generally around the 1,000-2,000 tonne mark but the OPV is more a law-enforcement platform. It is designed to protect a nation’s resources within the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) extending some 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from shore and also to assert national sovereignty and law while providing a search and rescue as well as an environmental protection capability with some having a hydrographic survey capability. Compared with a corvette it tends to be slower but with higher endurance often operating a helicopter while some have sophisticated command and communications systems to interact with foreign agencies, but they are generally armed with nothing larger than a 76mm gun. The corvette is a surface combatant usually optimised for Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and featuring surface-to-surface missiles and consequently it has more sophisticated sensors than the OPV with higher speeds for rapid transit or manoeuvres.The largest OPV operators in Asia are China, India and Japan, which have to secure green or blue water interests, while a number of countries such as Indonesia rely on their surface combatants in the offshore role. This can sometimes ratchet up tension in times of crisis, such as the recent confrontation off Borneo between Malaysia and Indonesia, while the OPV acts as a less threatening platform.Brunei

Darussalam class OPV (photo : shipspotting)

Within South East Asia Brunei has three 80-metre (24-feet) ‘Darussalam’ class OPVs,.Malaysia

Jacinto class corvettes (photo : Manilaboy)The Philippines Navy operates three ‘Jacinto’ class ‘corvettes’, which are actually OPVs, and has acquired two former US Coast Guard ‘Hamilton’ class High Endurance Cutters, and may acquire a third to meet a long-standing requirement for three OPVs. It is now considering installing anti-ship missiles in these vessels to make them full corvettes. Thailand

Krabi class OPV (photo : worldwarships)Thailand has requirements for five OPVs of which four would be sophisticated craft, reportedly having the same design as OPVs built for Trinidad and Tobago but sold the Brazil, while one will be a more basic vessel. It operates two ‘Pattani’ class ‘corvettes’ which are also actually OPVs.

Protector class OPV (photo : stxmarine)In the Pacific, New Zealand acquired two ‘Protector’ class OPVs which are unusual because they have ice-strengthened bows to operate in Antarctica. Australia

Project Sea-1180 Offshore Combat Vessel (image : RAN)The Government has directed that Defence develop proposals to rationalise the Navy’s patrol boat, mine countermeasures, hydrographic and oceanographic forces, potentially into a single modular multi-role class or family of around 20 Offshore Combatant Vessels (OCV) combining four existing classes of vessels. The new vessels will likely be larger than the current Armidale Class patrol boats.Australia has a plan, Project Sea 1180 for a 2,000-tonne Offshore Combat Vessel (OCV) which would meet a variety of roles including acting as an OPV. This $3.1 billion programme is unlikely to be implemented until the first half of the next decade.CORVETTESThe demand for true corvettes has grown steadily in the past couple of decades replacing requirements for Fast Attack Craft (FAC). FACs are small platforms especially vulnerable to air attack because their surveillance radar antenna is relatively low reducing the search area and counter-measures reaction times, they cannot mount a significant air defence system which makes them vulnerable even to helicopter stand-off attack and their lack of compartments means a bomb or missile strike can inflict catastrophic damage. The corvette overcomes most of these problems making them a useful surface combatant with superior radar search area, more compartments and the introduction of damage control while bringing the prospect of better air defence protection. It is also a more versatile platform for it can be used for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) through the installation of sonars and lightweight torpedo launchers.Indonesia

Parchim class corvettes (photo : TNI AL)

It should be noted that not all corvettes have surface-to-surface missiles, and Indonesia’s former East German ‘Parchim Is’, or ‘Kapitan Pattimura’ class, are unusual in being dedicated ASW platforms with hull-mounted sonar, augmented in some ships by variable depth sensors, armed with both anti-submarine torpedoes and mortars.

Fatahillah class corvettes (photo : Kaskus Militer)Indonesia augments these 16 ships with seven Dutch-built vessels; three 30-year-old ‘Fatahillahs’, which also feature a strong ASW suite, and the most modern Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) ‘Diponegoro’ class which are one of Damen’s Sigma family (Sigma 9113), with their shaped hulls to reduce the radar cross section.

Sigma 90 class corvettes (photo : Kaskus Militer)

The Sigmas form the keel of a new family of corvettes (also designated ‘light frigates’) to meet the Guided Missile Escort (Perusak Kawal Rudal) 105 requirement which are being designed by DSNS and the domestic yard PT PAL under an August 2010 agreement. Based upon the Sigma 10514, these 2,400-tonne vessels will be optimised for ASW with the first of two scheduled to be laid down this year and to enter service in 2016 but it is unclear how many are required. Priority may have been given to a requirement for three submarines with work starting next year.Malaysia

Laksamana class corvetted (photo : rankratz)Neighbouring Malaysia’s requirements have been mentioned earlier and it should be noted that the Royal Malaysian Navy also operates six corvettes; four former Iraqi ‘Assads’ (as the ‘Laksamana’ class) and two German-built ‘Kasturis’.

Kasturi class corvettes (photo : iv-groep)Singapore

Victory class corvettes (photo : BQ-T)While Singapore has six ‘Victory’ class ships based upon the Lürssen MGB 62 design but with an exceptionally high mast for its search radar. Thailand

Khamronsin class corvettes (photo : worldwarships)

Tapi class corvettes (photo : c7f)Nearby Thailand operates seven corvettes of which the five ‘Khamronsin’ and ‘Tapi’ class are ASW vessels. There is no requirement for new vessels with Bangkok more interested in acquiring frigates and upgrading its vessels.

Vietnam

Tarantul class corvettes (photo : vntime)By contrast Vietnam is expanding its corvette fleet steadily from the original four ‘Tarantul’ (‘Project 1241E’) class, with an ASW capability, and two domestically-built ‘Improved Pauks’ (‘Project 12418’) and is acquiring up to ten ‘Improved Tarantuls’ (‘Project 1241.8’) all of which are pure ASuW vessels.

Molniya-Improved Tarantul class corvettes (photo : ttvnol)In 2011 DSNS revealed they were discussing the sale of four ‘Sigma 10514s’ to Vietnam, of which two would be built domestically. Vietnam is also acquiring Russian-built frigates, two of which have been delivered, reflecting the preference of some Asian navies for larger, multi-role platforms capable of projecting power in ‘blue water’ environments.See full article : Asian Military Review

AW-109 Power naval helicopter (photo : sandy-timawa)Manila, Philippines – A military spokesman on Saturday disclosed that the Philippine Navy (PN) has a sufficient number of pilots and flight crew to man its three newly-acquired AW-109 “Power” helicopters, and two more that are due to arrive in 2014.PN spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said that at the moment, there are seven pilots assigned per helicopter.He added that an equivalent number of AW-109 trained co-pilots and crewmen are also available.“More (pilots and crewmen) are now undergoing training to ensure that the aircraft can be manned at all times,” said Fabic.The Naval Air Group (NAG), the unit tasked to operate and maintain the Navy’s aerial assets, currently has more than 50 pilots on its roster, according to the Navy spokesman.Prior the arrival of the AW-109s last December 8, the inventory of the NAG consists of one Robinson R-22 helicopter, Blohm B0-105 helicopter, two Islander aircraft, and four Cessna light utility planes.The firm’s representatives added that the AW-109 is very maneuverable, and very ideal for shipboard deployment.(Manila Bulletin)

29 Desember 2013

Rice Aircraft is expected to start delivery of 21 UH-1 within six months.(photo : Rice Aircraft Services)MANILA, Philippines - A joint venture of two companies based in North America has bagged the deal to supply 21 UH-1 combat utility helicopters to the Philippine Air Force.The joint venture of American firm Rice Aircraft Services Inc. and Canadian company Eagle Copters Ltd. won the contract for the supply and delivery of Huey helicopters, the workhorse of the military’s operations.The STAR learned that the notice of award was issued to the joint venture last week.Defense Assistant Secretary Patrick Velez said in an interview the Huey helicopters can be used for rescue and internal security operations.“The helicopters will be used to meet immediate requirements. They will be used to address the dwindling capability of the Air Force,” Velez said.The approved outlay for the project was P1.26 billion, but the helicopters would be purchased for about P1.25 million less than the approved budget for the contract, he added.The supplier is expected to start delivery within six months.“The first delivery based on the requirements is six months but they might deliver that in as close as two weeks,” Velez said.Earlier, the Defense department held three public biddings for the Huey helicopters acquisition project but all of these failed due to the bidders’ failure to meet some requirements. The Defense department then resorted to an alternative form of procurement to acquire the helicopters.Officials said the procurement mode was similar to public bidding but without the publication requirements. Under a public bidding, the procuring agency should publish a bid notice in newspapers and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System website.Section 53 of the implementing rules of the procurement law allows agencies to resort to a negotiated procurement when there has been a failure of public bidding for the second time.Negotiated procurement was defined as “a method of procurement of goods, infrastructure projects and consulting services, whereby the procuring entity directly negotiates a contract with a technically, legally and financially capable supplier, contractor or consultant.”The 21 UH-1 helicopters were originally intended to perform poll-related duties last May but the acquisition had been delayed by failed biddings.Fighter jetsMeanwhile, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the delivery of lead-in fighter trainer jets to be acquired from South Korea may start in June 2015.The government plans to spend P18.9 billion to acquire 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea to boost the Air Force’s territorial defense capabilities.(PhilStar)

28 Desember 2013

Rolldock Sea heavy transport vessel 142 m long, 24 m wide, has about 7,000 tons of payload (photo: Marinetraffic)The first of six Kilo -class submarines that the Vietnam Navy bought from Russia visits Singapore this morning on the way to the port of Cam Ranh.The ship is named HQ182 Hanoi transport by ship transport of super critical of Dutch Rolldock Sea. Departing from the port city of Saint Petersburg (Russia) 15/11 yesterday after handing over 4 days earlier techniques, Rolldock Sea vessels along the Atlantic Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern most tip of Africa and into the Indian Ocean, then cross- Straits and Singapore had, before emptying into the South China Sea to the north and to go to Cam Ranh, expected later this week .According Marinetraffic.com website dedicated to providing information on international voyages ships at the end of the day 27/12, company information that is received at 5 pm on 26/12 (UTC , the same day ie 13 hours Singapore time) for Rolldock ships or Adaman sea was on the beach in the Pacific and toward the Strait of Malacca. With a speed of 13.9 knots (equivalent to 25.74 km/h), predict Marinetraffic.com Rolldock Sea ship will docked in Singapore for about 20 hours on 27/12 (UTC, ie 4am in Singapore 28/12).

The road Rolldock Sea ship from the Atlantic Ocean through the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Malacca to the time of day 17 hours 37 minutes 27/12 (Singapore time, ie 16 hours 37 minutes now VN)-(image : ThanhNien)Meanwhile, discussions with Youth, Antoine Albert, CEO of the Asia - Pacific exactEarth Company (Canada) in Singapore, said early yesterday afternoon, the ship was in the Malacca Strait Sea Rolldock located near the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur northwest. ExactEarth company is dedicated to providing identifying information automatically via satellite (AIS) for ships around the world. ExactEarth satellites recorded at day 13 hours 32 minutes 27/12 (Singapore time), Rolldock Sea ship at coordinates 03o11'20" North and 100o29'49'' 'East, about 230 nautical miles from Singapore. Then, ship speed of 14.7 knots (ie 27.22 km/hour). "If you keep this speed, the ship will not come before 6 am on Singapore 28/12, Singapore time," Antoine said.Telephone exchange with Youth from Vietnam, a Defense Ministry officials said the Rolldock Sea ship had to refuel. Department of Defense not to appoint a vessel through Singapore. Vietnam Defence Attaché in Singapore Truong Dien Bien also said that he did not pick up unknown ship docked and will ship based in Singapore for how long.Answering the question why not ship HQ182 Hanoi self in Vietnam, the Ministry of Defense officials explained that as announced with the international community, Vietnam submarines will operate mainly in the the sea and the exclusive economic zone of our country .Kilo Hanoi HQ - 182 is the first of six diesel submarines - 636 Kilo -class power modern dubbed the "black hole ocean" that Vietnam ordered from Russia. This ship was first launched in May 8.2012 and has undergone a series of successful trials at sea.(ThanhNien)

Harris Falcon tactical radios (photo : railce)MELBOURNE, FL/ROCHESTER, NY — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has received a $100 million follow-on order to provide multiband handheld and high-frequency manpack tactical radios to the Australian Department of Defence.Harris will deliver the radios in the latest phase of the Joint Project 2072 modernization program. The Australian military forces are fielding and deploying additional Falcon III® AN/PRC-152 handheld radios and vehicular adapters as well as Falcon II® AN/PRC-150(C) high-frequency manpack radios."This order extends the longstanding relationship between Harris and the Commonwealth of Australia and demonstrates their continued trust in our tactical communications solutions," said Brendan O'Connell, president, International Business, Harris RF Communications. "We deeply value our partnership with the Australian Department of Defence as it embarks on its long-term goal of creating a next-generation wideband tactical communications network."The Falcon III AN/PRC-152 is the first Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) software communications architecture-certified multiband, multimode handheld radio. The radio provides line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications capabilities.The Falcon II AN/PRC-150(C) high-frequency manpack is the only military Type-1 HF radio available today, setting the standard for secure, reliable, long-range beyond-line-of-sight communications on the battlefield.Harris is providing long-term support for the Australian military forces through its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Newstead, Brisbane and the Harris Communications Logistics Centre in Pinkeba, Queensland. The Logistics Centre provides service and support to test and integrate communication systems into various platforms.(Harris)

27 Desember 2013

KAI F/A-50 light combat aircaft (photo : sbs) MANILA, Philippines - The Defense department has asked Malacañang to allow the release of a 52-percent down payment to the South Korean firm that offered to supply 12 fighter jets to the military.Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said they have submitted their recommendation to the Office of the President, which will have the final say on the matter.“We recommended approval of the DP (down payment) and progress billing,” Gazmin said in a text message Thursday.The law permits state agencies to pay a 15-percent down payment to suppliers while the rest of the amount would be paid upon the delivery of goods.South Korean firm Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) wants the Philippines to pay 52 percent down payment to cover its manufacturing costs. Such payment scheme would require the approval of President Aquino.Gazmin said the delivery of the jets may start in June 2015.Defense Assistant Secretary Patrick Velez said negotiations are underway but declined to provide a deadline for the signing of the contract.“We have settled the turnaround time issue. We are discussing the payment scheme,” he said in a separate interview.“I’d rather not put a date on this,” he added.The turnaround time is the period required for the delivery of the jets’ spare parts under a two-year warranty. Gazmin said both parties have agreed to set the turnaround time at 60 days.The government plans to spend P18.9 billion to acquire 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea. The acquisition is part of the effort to boost the Air Force’s territorial defense capabilities. Security officials started their negotiations with KAI in July.Earlier, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz said two FA-50 jets could be delivered by the end of 2014 if all the necessary documents are signed this year.Officials, however, said it is unlikely that a deal would be reached this year.The acquisition of FA-50 jets is one of the big ticket items in the military’s multi-billion upgrade program.A total of P85.29-billion is needed to support the program for the next four years.(PhilStar)

Clark air force base (photo : airport technology)MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) is set to implement at least four projects aimed at upgrading military bases under the new Armed Forces Modernization Law.The projects, amounting to over P2 billion, seek to support new military assets to be acquired by the government.The four base-related projects are the Air Force basing support systems for long-range patrol aircraft (P187 million), lead-in fighter trainer jets (P135.99 million), Air Force radar system (P825.52 million) and Navy basing support system (P1 billion).The base support project for the long-range patrol aircraft will be implemented in Lipa, Palawan and Zamboanga.The DND also bared plans to acquire two units of long-range patrol aircraft worth P5.98 billion and 12 lead in-fighter trainer jets worth P18.9 billion to boost its territorial defense capabilities and security operations.The Air Force plans to buy three air surveillance radars worth P2.68 billion to improve its monitoring capabilities.On the other hand, the Navy is still threshing out its P1-billion basing support system consisting of 10 projects.The old Armed Forces Modernization Act, which took effect in 1995, gave the military a chance to modernize its assets and equipment in 15 years with a P331-billion fund.However, the program was stalled due to lack of funds and the changing priorities of the national leadership. As a result, the Philippine military has been dubbed one of the most poorly equipped in the Asia-Pacific region.Last year, President Aquino signed a new modernization law to provide more resources to the military’s upgrade efforts.More than P85 billion is required to fund the program, which will get P15 billion per year from the national budget until 2017.Another source of funding is the President’s commitment, which is expected to channel P632.18 million to the program yearly until 2015.A total of P4.78 billion will come from proceeds of the Malampaya natural gas project, in which the government has a share from taxes, royalties and charges, and remittances from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.(ABS CBN News)

25 Desember 2013

BM-21 rocket launcher (photo : Militaryphotos)Royal Cambodian Armed Forces troops will become familiar with a variety of new weapons during a five-day military exercise beginning on Friday.Lieutenant General Eth Sarath, RCAF’s deputy commander in charge of military training, said the exercise will focus on practising using the newly purchased multi-rocket BM-21 launcher and tanks.The exercises will employ about 20 of the BM-21s and 19 tanks.“Military exercises are like sport,” Sarath said. “We need to train and exercise monthly or yearly, particularly with new equipment.”In a statement, RCAF warned people in Phnom Srouch district, where the base is located, and nearby Borseth and Samrong Tong districts to stay clear of the exercise and to expect loud explosions.(Phnom Penh Post)

24 Desember 2013

Australian DoD has exercised options for additional quantities for the contract (photo : Defense Update)Elbit Systems Awarded Options and Risk Reduction Activities Under Extant Contract Valued at Approximately US$229 Million to Supply Additional Battle Management Systems to the Australian Defence ForcesHAIFA, Israel /PRNewswire/ -- Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ESLT) ("Elbit Systems") announced today that the Australian Department of Defence has exercised options for additional quantities under an extant contract via a contract change, and also engaged Elbit Systems to conduct a Risk Reduction Activity via a survey and quote under the terms of an extant contract. The total value of both activities is approximately US$229 million (excluding GST). The contract will be performed over a three-year period. Elbit Systems is the prime contractor of the Australian Defence Forces' ("ADF") Battle Management Systems.The project, to be performed primarily by Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA), will support the Australian Army in achieving its digitisation objectives.Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems commented: "Australia is a very important market for Elbit Systems, and we are proud to be awarded these follow-on orders." Machlis added: "Elbit Systems is a global leading supplier of tactical Battle Management Systems, which are in operational use in dozens of armed forces worldwide, and we take great satisfaction in this new Australian vote of confidence."(Elbit Systems)